"It was a good conversation, an open conversation that we hope to continue in the future in order to create trust and dialogue, even when there may be divergent readings, so that we have the opportunity to find moments of rapprochement," said Adalberto da Costa Júnior, after the long audience of about an hour and a half in the Cidade Alta, in Luanda.
UNITA (União Nacional para a Independência Total de Angola), the main opposition party, carried out an agenda focused on the country's challenges and the need for institutional dialogue: "We addressed the challenges linked to the reforms the country needs to make, as well as outstanding issues in the process of national reconciliation and the fight against corruption".
On the issues of reconciliation, he pointed to the demobilization of the military, which "should not be left in the background", but also the return of UNITA's assets, which "have never been fulfilled" and which was provided for in the peace agreements.
"We believe that the Government should do more, the Government has not done anything, which penalizes the interests of UNITA in the very plan of electoral disputes where there is an advantage for those who govern, if there is no return", said Adalberto da Costa Júnior.
The UNITA leader stressed that "it is not an asset that was offered, it is an asset that was bought and occupied and that is a matter of commitment by the Government itself", stating that supporting documentation was handed over regarding the assets that the "Galo Negro" party claims.
The issue of local authorities was also addressed at the meeting: "We talked a lot about this matter and even asked for a public explanation", he said.
"We must all know clearly whether or not we are going to have local elections", he challenged, stressing that it is to the National Assembly that responsibility for the delay of the elections is being transferred.
Adalberto da Costa Júnior insisted that "there is no reason" for the legislative package concerning municipalities not to be fully approved by March, as suggested by UNITA.
The party leader also stressed that the challenges facing the country "cannot be overcome without the courage to reform", including at economic level.
It is necessary "to have the courage to reform the Constitution, to embrace the issue of electoral law" and the National Electoral Commission itself, which "has created many conflicts" and generated accusations of lack of transparency, he pointed out.
"We need to build a democracy that is powerfully stable and cohesive in its institutions", he argued.
Reforms for which the MPLA (Popular Movement for the Liberation of Angola), a ruling party that has ruled for almost 40 years, needs to be involved.
"We cannot make the reforms alone (...). Either the MPLA agrees that the country needs reforms or we won't be able to embrace these challenges," he noted.
The leader of UNITA was nevertheless satisfied with the "objective and concrete" debate he held with the President, welcoming the "openness" to the issues the party presented: "We were given attention to the issues we were bringing, there was indeed openness".
